15 April, 2024
The 9th Our Ocean Conference was held in Athens, Greece, from April 15-17, 2024. The event, themed "An Ocean of Potential," gathered global leaders, scientists, and policymakers to address crucial issues impacting our oceans. The conference focused on six critical areas: marine protected areas, sustainable blue economies, climate change, maritime security, sustainable fisheries, and marine pollution.
The conference fostered international collaboration and generated actionable commitments to protect and sustainably manage ocean resources. A highlight of the conference was the event on Blue Carbon and the potential of coastal vegetated ecosystems in responding to the climate and biodiversity crisis, Led by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. This session shows the vital role of blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, in carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Professor Carlos M. Duarte was a key speaker at the event and emphasized the importance of these ecosystems in mitigating climate change and enhancing marine biodiversity.
The 30x30 initiative was championed by numerous environmental organizations and has gained significant traction in international policy discussions. This global conservation target seeks to protect at least 30% of the planet's land and ocean areas by 2030. The primary objective of 30x30 is to conserve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and ensure sustainable use of natural resources. While the 30x30 goal is a crucial milestone, additional measures such as reducing carbon emissions, tackling pollution, and implementing sustainable practices are essential to ensure the long-term health and resilience of marine ecosystems
Taiba Alamoudi, a PhD candidate from our lab, was selected by the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, to attend the conference. As part of a delegation of about 10 representatives from Japan and overseas, she also participated in the Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit. Co-hosted by the Sustainable Ocean Alliance and the Our Ocean Conference, the Youth Leadership Summit brought together 100 young ocean leaders from around the world to develop solutions and ideas for ocean conservation.
The conference fostered international collaboration, with numerous countries and organizations pledging their support for the 30x30 goal. Participants shared best practices, innovative solutions, and scientific research to inform policy and conservation efforts. The collaborative spirit of the conference was evident in the commitments made by various stakeholders to expand MPAs and enhance marine conservation measures.
For more detailed outcomes of the 9th Our Ocean Conference, visit the official conference website here.